03 March 2005 – Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mariano A. Dumia reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that prompt and decisive action by the Embassy and cooperation from Saudi authorities led to the successful rescue on 26 February 2005 of two female Filipino workers.  The two Filipinos, at the time of their rescue, have been forcibly detained and subjected to inhumane treatment by their employer for more than a year already.

In his report, CDA Dumia said that a number of diplomats have called the Philippine Embassy to congratulate them for their determination to protect Filipino citizens from abusive employers, adding that the actions of the Philippine Embassy serve as a good example for other embassies with large communities of their own in the Kingdom.

CDA Dumia identified the two freed Filipinos as Ms. Michaela Silvano delos Santos, a 48-year old seamstress from Sarat, Ilocos Norte, and Ms. Illuminada Curioso, a 49-year old beautician from Libmanan, Camarines Sur.  Ms. Delos Santos and Ms. Curioso were both forcibly detained by their lady employer, who is Saudi national, for more than a year in a small bare room measuring about five square meters with insufficient food and without air-conditioning or heating.

According to the two Filipino workers, at the end of each long day working in a locked workshop, they would be locked up again in their confined quarters for the night.  Their detention quarters are located at the rear of their employers house and shop in Dammam City in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, about 420 kilometers east of the capital Riyadh.

According to the two Filipino workers, their employer began treating them viciously ever since they filed a case with the Saudi labor court seeking payment of their back wages.  According to CDA Dumia, the two Filipinos filed for payment of back wages covering eight years.  Ms. Delos Santos is claiming US$8,800.00 worth of unpaid salaries, while Ms. Curioso’s claim is worth US$9,866.66.

Upon the release of the two Filipinos, CDA Dumia instructed the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Eastern Province (POLO, EP) to pursue the case and attend the next case hearing in Riyadh.  The two Filipinos will be awaiting the resolution of their labor case while in the custody of the Philippine Embassy and being cared for by the Bahay Kalinga.

After receiving a report from POLO, EP on their difficulty in assisting the two distressed Filipinos, CDA Dumia and Embassy Attaché Reynaldo Banda immediately made the trip to the Eastern Province on 25 February.  Thereupon, accompanied by POLO officers and their Arabic interpreter Mr. Najeer Oquendo, the Filipino officials met with the Police Commander of the Northern Dammam District General Saleh Al-Watban.  CDA Dumia requested police assistance in transferring the two Filipinos to the Embassy’s custody in the light of their appalling living conditions and abusive treatment from their employer.

Accompanied by two police officers, CDA Dumia and his party proceeded to the residence of the Filipinos’ Saudi employer identified as Badriyah Abdul Razak Saud Al-Lael.  At first, they were not permitted to enter the premises and see the two Filipinos.  But then, the Mayor of the Northern Dammam District Mr. Nahi Saleh Salem Al-Rewaili was called into the scene and the party was then permitted to enter the house and see the Filipinos.   The Philippine and Saudi officials saw the condition of Ms. Delos Santos and Ms. Curioso.

At first, the employer was adamant about not permitting the release of the Filipinos.  But after five hours of hard-line negotiations by the Filipino officials aided by the Saudi authorities, the employer finally agreed to release the Filipinos to the custody of the Philippine Embassy.  From there, CDA Dumia and his party with the two released Filipinos went back to the office of General Al-Watban, where the agreement for the release of the two workers was finalized.

Ms. Delos Santos and Ms. Curioso tearfully thanked the Philippine Embassy for working for their freedom.  CDA Dumia said that this incident should send a strong signal to employers to ensure fair and humane treatment of their employees.   CDA Dumia added that what they have done for Ms. Delos Santos and Ms. Curioso is something that they would do again for the sake of OFWs, within the bounds of the law and with the cooperation of Saudi authorities.  END.